George CantaliniFounder and CEO, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

When George thinks about his childhood community, it’s the after-school street hockey games that he remembers most. He and his friends never had to leave the neighbourhood for amusement, there were always interesting places to explore, and they always felt comfortable and safe. For George, this is what characterizes a great community: a place that provides its residents with amenities and attractions required for everyday living, and a place that people are proud to call home.

Leveraging his insightful nature, George sets strategic vision for Beaverbrook, identifies new development opportunities, and devises the financial strategies needed to make them happen. George’s charisma and strong financial background (as a chartered accountant) are what contribute to the great successes of the company. As the motivation and glue behind Beaverbrook’s team of professionals, George gives Beaverbrook’s partners peace of mind in ensuring the growth of their investments. A natural mentor with a knack for seeing past the impossible, George inspires his team in a collaborative effort to deliver great projects. Actively involved in his industry for 20 years, George lends his expertise to the Urban Development Institute executive committee as treasurer and board member, as well as to the Sanitary Sewer Strategies Fund Operational Committee.

Actively involved in his industry for 20 years, George also contributes to several community organizations across the region including the CASA capital campaign and Valour Place.

Notable Achievements:

• Instrumental in the start-up of Dolce Vita Homes, one of the top home builders in the region.

As President Communities and Commercial, Jodie provides leadership on all aspects of Beaverbrook’s residential and commercial projects.

As a husband and father of two, Jodie’s work is guided by his belief that a successful community is one that provides its residents with a sense of security, safety and belonging.

In addition to his leadership role at Beaverbrook, Jodie has served as an elected member of Edmonton’s Urban Development Institute and participated in numerous industry committees and functions. He is also on the advisory committee for the University of Alberta’s Urban and Regional Planning Undergrad and Graduate Programs, and volunteers his time with several charitable organizations like the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and CASA Foundation.

Al KulayConstruction Manager

Al has been in consulting engineering his entire career. He provides support and mentorship to project managers. His strong ability to communicate with multiple contractors and coordinate their activities ensures timely construction deadlines. Al also works with municipalities to pursue Construction Completion and Final Acceptance Certificates.

For Al, good communities have access to roadways that both vehicles and pedestrians can share. He believes safety is key. That’s why he’s implementing a work health and safety program for Beaverbrook to keep employees educated on job safety standards.

Al’s notable achievements include a co-chairmanship of the NAIT Civil Engineering Industry Advisory Committee and being a part of the lead design team that designed and directed construction of Edmonton’s first and only master-planned freshwater lake community.

Katrina RoweGeneral Manager

Katrina began her career in the real estate industry working with developers on both residential and commercial projects. She discovered she had an instinct for coming up with smart solutions and new ideas that helped make better communities. At Beaverbrook she oversees all aspects of a new community development from construction to sales, while working closely with our planners, engineers, and contractors.

As a mother of twins, Katrina sees a great community as one where families know each other and kids can play with their neighbours. Her belief that a community’s residents should look out for one another inspires her work with Beaverbrook and involvement with many volunteer organizations, including the WIN House Board (2010-2016) and CHBA Edmonton Board (2015-16).

Jesse LaFranceProject Manager

A sense of community has always been important to Jesse; his fondest memory of his childhood community was riding his bike to school. After moving to Edmonton in 2010, Jesse took on the role of Director of Development for Edmonton’s Parkallen Community. Since his appointment, he has worked to ensure sustainable development for the community’s next generation.

With a background in finance, Jesse worked for a global winemaker and a boutique investment counseling firm before joining Beaverbrook. As a Project Manager, Jesse works on all stages of the land development process from planning through to construction and sales while working alongside our engineers, planners and contractors. Jesse believes in a progressive and forward-thinking approach to creating communities around Edmonton with Beaverbrook; communities that are perfect for riding your bike to school.

Alessandra De SousaProject Manager

Growing up as a competitive athlete, Alessandra brings her teamwork mentality and hard work ethic to the Beaverbrook team. With two diplomas under her belt, Alessandra is currently working towards her degree in Business. At Beaverbrook, Alessandra pours her limitless passion and energy into her role as a Project Manager. She handles all stages of land development, and is also our in-house marketing guru thanks to her background in strategic marketing. Growing up in a tight-knit Italian home, Alessandra believes a community should be a place where kids can play street hockey, and run to the corner store for afternoon snacks.

She is proud that she can be a part of designing beautiful communities that families can thrive in. This passion is seen in her work with Beaverbrook and as a member of Edmonton’s New Horizons Committee, and Leduc’s UDI Committee.

Nick Young Project Manager

Born and raised in Edmonton, Nick recalls how much impact the neighbourhood he grew up in had on his childhood. After graduating from the University of Alberta, he entered the industry taking a role as Project Coordinator with a local developer.

Today, in his role as Project Manager, Nick works on all aspects of land development, from planning through to construction, marketing and sales, and ensures that residents are excited about the community that grows around them. Nick works closely with planners, engineers, contractors and builders to ensure that the right products are produced for the right people, at the right time.

To give back, Nick acts as the Vice-President of the EGM Society, a local charity who supports bullying prevention and leadership initiatives in schools across Alberta and sits on Spruce Grove’s UDI committee.

Nicole Wiebe Assistant Project Manager

Nicole is an assistant project manager who assists in the execution of business and project plans to the maximum benefit of investors. Having grown up in a business family, Nicole learned firsthand how to interact with clients and ensure their satisfaction was first priority. Furthermore, her experience in retail has given her the skills needed to be adaptable, learn quickly, and create an elevated customer experience which she translates into her work at Beaverbrook. A marketing degree from the University of Alberta has also allowed her to exercise her creative background and lend a hand in Beaverbrook’s marketing endeavors. Nicole believes a great community is safe, where the neighbours know one another and everything you might need is within walking distance.

Lois MattisonOffice Manager, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

Lois is instrumental in supporting the Beaverbrook community as the company’s Office Manager. Drawing on over twenty-nine years of office experience, she helps families and buyers secure lots by tracking and reconciling vital documents. She intuitively identifies opportunities to help out, and never hesitates to lend a hand. It’s Lois who keeps everyone at Beaverbrook organized and on track every day.

For Lois, a good community is a group of family, friends and neighbours who come together to help and support one another while enjoying life together.

Tamara MitroExecutive Assistant, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

Tamara has made herself an essential part of the Beaverbrook team, by devoting her attention to office administration, and keeping the rest of the office in line. Her willingness to support her co-workers and her ability to stay open to new ideas and suggestions is what sets her apart. Tamara’s strong organizational skills help keep the team functioning in a timely and efficient manner daily. Her considerable experience in the development industry doesn’t hurt either.

Tamara believes a great community is a safe place for families, where everything you need is within walking distance and where kids can ride bikes until the street lights come on.

Steven EwaskiwCorporate Controller, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

Growing up in a community where he could walk to the ice rink with his dad helped to form some of Steven’s fondest childhood memories. Now, Steven brings his love for well planned communities, along with strong technical savvy and natural leadership skills to the team at Beaverbrook. As Corporate Controller and a designated Chartered Accountant, Steven works to manage all things finance and accounting related for all Beaverbrook projects. Steven believes that a good community should be safe, comfortable and truly feel like home and he is a true advocate of teamwork and positive leadership.

When he’s not working, Steven believes in paying it forward. He sits on the board of YESS – Youth Empowerment & Support Services and also works as a volunteer coach with the St. Albert Raiders Club, coaching club hockey and, no matter how busy, Steven tries to get a game of shinny in every now and then.

Roxanne RenAccountant, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

For Roxanne, a community is a place where you can leave your door unlocked, where you can consider your neighbours, friends. Roxanne grew up in such a community, where children played and adults gathered to talk and share funny stories. Along with the company controller, Roxanne helps to keep the Beaverbrook finance team on track, preparing financial statements, analyzing reports for investors and project managers, and reviewing the work of the accounts payable and accounts receivable teams. In her free time, Roxanne loves to travel and give back to her community; she does this by volunteering to help families with modest incomes prepare their income tax filings.

Kai ChoiManager, Special Projects, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

After 15 years of working in finance on the international level, Kai Choi and his family chose to make Canada their home. Here he pursued his Certified General Accountant training and decided to put his considerable talents to work in the Land Development industry. Kai defines ‘community’ as a safe place where his family can feel comfortable. His passion for creating the kind of communities he loves is what makes him a role model at Beaverbrook and an essential part of our team.

Judy Lee Accountant, Beaverbrook Group of Companies

A sense of inclusiveness has always been important to Judy. Her family owned the iconic neighborhood corner store, which led to friendships that would last a lifetime. Judy carries this sense of community with her to this day. After attending the University of Alberta, Judy decided to remain in Edmonton where she pursued a career in accounting. With a background in non-profit and retail accounting, Judy joined Beaverbrook to enter the unique world of land development. As one of the accountants on the Finance team, Judy assists the Controller in all things accounting, including preparing financial statements, analyzing reports for investors and adding her expertise to the accounts payable and accounts receivable teams. In their spare time, Judy and her husband love to travel and getting together with friends to play board games.

Lesley moved to Spruce Grove in 2012 from Medicine Hat, and stayed at home with her son until she decided to go back to work and joined the Dolce Vita Homes team after her second son was born. Prior to that, Lesley worked for Fort Mckay Group of Companies as the finance manager for 3 of their companies, after starting out in the mail room. Using her schooling and experience to excel in her role as the Dolce Vita Homes Accounts Payable Coordinator, Lesley then joined the Beaverbrook Group of Companies to contribute on a larger scale. In communities, Lesley looks for a small town feel with a sense of family, where you know your neighbors and everyone looks out for each other.

Meet theBeaverbrook Team

Our team is committed to creating lasting communities for generations to come. Every day, when we leave our own homes for work, we strive to redefine Edmonton and its surrounding areas by working together towards developing the best places to live.